Before we eat, we have to shop for the goods.

Well the girls shop for the goods, I watch, shake my head to confirm their choices and take pictures.

Next year they said I should do the shopping to test what I have learned from them.

We can try… as long as I can still take photos.

These were a few of my favorite shots from our visit to the market.

Enjoy!

Leslie

In 1309 Avignon became the residence of the Popes during a period of chaos in Rome.  Located in southern France this historical palace is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Popes returned to Rome in 1377 yet the palace stayed under Papal control until the French revolution.

The palace is physically impressive but what struck me most was the organization created to build and run the palace. This was a full-fledged company with cooks, security, controllers, doctors, and a CEO at the top to make decisions.

Even though the girls had already visited the palace, it was still a nice cultural excursion.

And an opportunity for all of us to take a few photos.

Enjoy!

Leslie

When I travel with the girls they make the food decisions.

There is a lot of pressure in France to eat well…

And one bad meal can ruin a perfect day.

But the girls always seem to find great places with no guide.

Even if I had a guide book, the restaurant Au Rendez-Vous wouldn’t have been listed, it had just opened.   Lucky for me I have the girls.

Enjoy!

Leslie

As New York gets hit hard with rain I’m thinking about vacation.

And the photos I want to review and share from my time away.

As my Italian friends say “poco a poco” (little by little).

Maybe I should have said that in French…  either way I’m getting there.

Enjoy!

Leslie

A sign of a good French host is the beauty of their table, the linens, the stemware, and sometimes the table itself.

And when it comes to breakfast this would include the quality of the bread, the fresh croissants, the local fruit, the coffee, and my personal favorite the homemade jams.

As you can see, our host Monique sets high French standards for her table.

Her communal table was a beauty… and breakfast was so delicious it was followed by a thorough review of the number of rolls and croissants we each ate and with which jam.

We even spoke to our neighbors, every morning!  A strange experience, because our table neighbors were French.

I’m certain it was Monique’s table, why move from a table this perfect?

Enjoy!

Leslie